So Crapatoni fails to select both Hoolahan and Pilkington! The man should go back to selling ice cream!
I wasn't holding my breath that he'd select Wes, but I'm a little surprised at the lack of Pilks. I thought McClean was injured? (From the Guardian yesterday): Republic of Ireland (confirmed) (4-4-2): Forde; Coleman, Dunne, O'Shea, Wilson; Walters, McCarthy, Whelan, McClean; Keane, Long. Subs from: Westwood, McShane, O'Dea, Clark, Cunningham, Green, Hoolahan, Brady, Pilkington, Cox, Sammon
has hoolahan been playing well enough of late? pilks has been injured - not too sure its that outrageous! i'm more surprised that the in-form robbie brady didn't get selected ahead of the pretty useless james mclean
To be fair pilks has been injured all season so others may be ready for a full international game above him.
hopefully pilks or Wes will come off the bench surely trap will be facing the boot if they don't get some good results over the next couple of games will they be up against super Olsson and Elmander?
One of them may not even make the bench I guess - shame if Pilks doesn't get a run-out at some stage.
I would guess Pilkington joined up with the Irish squad more to have him just involved (having completely missed out on previous call-ups) rather than with the intention of starting him. CH has been nursing him back from his injury, so having him set back on international duty would be the last thing either he or Pilkington would want. Maybe if Pilks gets on as a late sub and suffers no reaction, he will feature in the next game.
Playing, I'm watching the game in the forlorn hope that Hoolahan or Pilks will get on. Olsson's looked pretty solid (hasn't got forward a lot), and Elmander looks quality. Wait, Pilks is on!!!
